Drained and Back Ventilated Thin Composite Wall Cladding System

ABSTRACT

A wall panel includes a panel body, a first jamb clip, a second jamb clip, a bottom member, and an attachment clip. The first jamb clip is positioned adjacent to a right side of the panel body and the second jamb clip is positioned adjacent to a left side of the panel body. The first and second jamb clips are each configured to receive a portion of a spline. The bottom member has an engagement portion and is positioned adjacent to a bottom end of the panel body. The attachment clip is positioned adjacent to an upper end of the panel body and has an engagement receiving portion configured to engage an engagement portion of an adjacent panel. The bottom end of the panel body is configured to define a ventilation gap when joined to an adjacent panel.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.61/326,061, filed Apr. 20, 2010, the entire content of which is herebyincorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention is directed toward composite wall panel systemsand, more particularly, towards drained and back ventilated compositewall panel systems.

2. Description of Related Art

Thin composite architectural wall panels are generally manufactured bylaminating metal skins to a plastic core. These sheets are typicallyshipped to a fabricator where they are cut to size and routed so as toreturn the edges around the perimeter. Typically, extrusions arefabricated and applied to the panel perimeter to create panel joinery.Also, stiffeners are typically applied in the field of the panel, i.e.,the major flattened portion, to reduce the bowing of the thin panelunder load. The terms “thin composite panel” and “thin compositearchitectural panel” generally relate to a genre of architecturalpanels, configured substantially as described above, where a thicknessdimension as measured between opposing faces in the field of the panelcan generally be between about 4 mm and about 8 mm, though a greaterrange of thicknesses, such as less than about 15 mm or less than about10 mm are also utilized.

Referring to FIG. 1, upper and lower panels 1, 2 each include anextrusion 4 at the panel perimeter, as discussed above, at a horizontaljoint 5 defined between the panels 1, 2. The extrusions 4 define arecess 6 to receive a spline 7. Typically, the extrusions 4 arefabricated and applied to the perimeter of the panels 1, 2, as notedabove. The extrusions 4 are generally mitered at the corners to createthe panel joinery around the panel perimeter. At the horizontal joint 5,the recess 6 may become a water trap and channel water to an interiorside 8 of the panels 1, 2.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A wall panel includes a panel body, a first jamb clip, a second jambclip, a bottom member, and an attachment clip. The first jamb clip ispositioned adjacent to a right side of the panel body and the secondjamb clip is positioned adjacent to a left side of the panel body. Thefirst and second jamb clips are configured to receive a portion of aspline. The bottom member has an engagement portion and is positionedadjacent to a bottom end of the panel body. The attachment clip ispositioned adjacent to an upper end of the panel body and has anengagement receiving portion configured to engage an engagement portionof an adjacent panel. The bottom end of the panel body is configured todefine a ventilation gap when joined to an adjacent panel.

The engagement portion of the bottom member may extend upward, and theengagement receiving portion of the attachment clip may comprise adownwardly opening channel. The engagement portion of the bottom membermay also extend downward, and the engagement receiving portion of theattachment clip may comprise an upwardly opening channel. The wall panelmay also include a rail member positioned adjacent to an upper end ofthe panel body with the panel body positioned between the attachmentclip and the rail member. The rail member may have an extension thatextends outward and the rail member and the attachment clip may havecooperating engagement member. The wall panel may include a stiffenersecured to the panel body and the stiffener may be secured to the bottommember via a stiffener clip. The stiffener clip may have an extensionextending downward and the extension may engage a stiffener receivingportion of the bottom member. An upper portion of the stiffener clip maybe secured to the stiffener via a fastener. The stiffener may extendalong a longitudinal direction of the panel body. The upper end of thepanel may include a return portion configured to define a horizontaldrain shelf. The return portion of the upper end of the panel may beL-shaped in cross-section.

In another embodiment, a wall panel system includes a first panel havinga bottom member positioned adjacent to a bottom end of the first panel,and a second panel positioned adjacent to the first panel and defining ahorizontal joint. The second panel has an attachment clip positionedadjacent to an upper end of the second panel. The attachment clipengages the bottom member, and the bottom end of the first panel and theupper end of the second panel define a ventilation gap.

The second panel may have a rail member positioned adjacent to the upperend of the second panel with the rail member having an extension thatextends outward and the extension defining an upper end of theventilation gap and configured to deflect fluid entering the horizontaljoint. The rail member and the attachment clip may each have anengagement member with the engagement members of the rail member and theattachment clip being engaged with each other. The bottom member mayhave an engagement portion and the attachment clip may have anengagement receiving portion with the engagement portion of the bottommember engaging the engagement receiving member of the attachment clip.The first panel may have a jamb clip positioned adjacent to a right sideof the first panel with the jamb clip configured to receive a portion ofa spline. The wall panel system may further include a third panelpositioned adjacent to the first panel and defining a vertical joint.The first panel and the third panel may each have a jamb clip positionedadjacent to the vertical joint with the respective jamb clips of thefirst and third panels defining a receptor. The wall panel system mayalso include a spline received by the receptor.

In a further embodiment, a wall panel system includes a panel having afirst jamb clip positioned adjacent to a right side of the panel, asecond jamb clip positioned adjacent to a left side of the panel, abottom member positioned adjacent to a bottom end of the panel andbetween the first and second jamb clips, an attachment clip positionedadjacent to an upper end of the panel, and a stiffener extending along alongitudinal direction of the panel body. The wall panel system alsoincludes a support and a stiffener clip having a stiffener receivingportion. The stiffener clip is secured to the support and the stiffenerreceiving portion engages the stiffener. The stiffener may be positionedat about a midpoint of a short dimension of the panel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a conventional thin composite wallcladding system at a horizontal joint;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a wall panel system at a horizontal jointaccording to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the wall panel system shown in FIG. 2,showing the wall panel system between attachment clips;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a of a wall panel system at a horizontaljoint according to a further embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the wall panel system shown in FIG. 4,showing the wall panel system between attachment clips;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of a wall panel system at a vertical jointaccording to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of wall panel system at a vertical jointaccording to a further embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view of a wall panel system at a vertical jointaccording to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is an elevational view of a wall panel system according to oneembodiment, showing wall panels in an installed position;

FIG. 10 is a sectional view of the wall panel systems shown in FIGS. 2and 4, showing a vertical spline at a horizontal joint;

FIG. 11 is a sectional view taken along the line X-X in FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a schematic elevational view of a wall panel system accordingto one embodiment, showing placement of stiffener clips; and

FIG. 13 is a sectional view taken along the line XII-XII in FIG. 12.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention will now be described with reference to theaccompanying figures. For purposes of the description hereinafter, theterms “upper”, “lower”, “right”, “left”, “vertical”, “horizontal”,“top”, “bottom” and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention asit is oriented in the drawing figures. However, it is to be understoodthat the invention may assume various alternative variations and stepsequences, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is to beunderstood that the specific apparatus illustrated in the attachedfigures and described in the following specification is simply anexemplary embodiment of the present invention. Hence, specificdimensions and other physical characteristics related to the embodimentsdisclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, a wall panel system 10 according to oneembodiment includes upper and lower panels 12, 14 secured to a support16, such as a sub-frame, and defining a horizontal joint 18. The panels12, 14 each have a generally rectangular (or square) panel body formedby laminating metal skins to a plastic core, although other panelconfigurations may be utilized. The sub-frame is typically secured to astructural framing member, such as a stud, with a thermal, vapor, andair and water barrier positioned between the structural framing and thesub-frame. The supports 16 are typically spaced apart along a buildingstructure (not shown). The upper panel 12 includes a bottom member 20that extends along a bottom end 22 of the upper panel 12. The bottommember 20 is a continuous extrusion that includes an engagement portion24 and a pair of stiffener receiving portions 26. The bottom member 20is secured to the upper panel 12 via a fastener 28, such as a screw orrivet, that extends through the bottom member 20 and a return portion 30of the upper panel 12. The lower panel 14 includes a rail 32 thatextends along an upper end 34 of the lower panel 14. The rail 32 is acontinuous extrusion generally having a Z-shape and defining an upperextension 36, an engagement portion 38, and a lower leg portion 40. Thelower panel 14 is secured to the support 16 via an attachment clip 42.In particular, a fastener 44 extends through the attachment clip 42,through a return portion 46 of the lower panel 14, through the rail 32and into the support 16.

The attachment clip 42 is positioned between the bottom member 20 andthe rail 32 at the support 16. The return portion 46 of the panel 14 ispositioned between the attachment clip 42 and the rail 32. Theattachment clip 42 includes an upper engagement member 48 and anengagement receiving portion 50. The upper engagement member 48 of theattachment clip 42 is received by the engagement portion 38 of the rail32 and the engagement portion 24 of the bottom member 20 is received bythe engagement receiving portion 50. In particular, the engagementportion 24 of the bottom member 20 extends generally upward to bereceived and engaged by the engagement receiving portion 50 of theattachment clip 42 thereby securing the upper panel 12 to the attachmentclip 42. The engagement receiving portion 50 is a channel that opensdownward and includes a ledge for engaging the engagement portion 24.The engagement portion 24 and the engagement receiving portion 50 may besecured to each other through cooperating structure, such as through afriction fit arrangement, detent arrangement, or any other suitablearrangement.

Referring again to FIG. 2, the upper panel 12 may include a stiffener 52that is secured to the upper panel 12 via a stiffener clip 54 having anupper portion 56 and a lower portion 58 with a pair of extensions 60.The stiffener clip 54 is secured to the stiffener 52 via a fastener 62,such as a screw, extending through the upper portion 56 of the stiffenerclip 54 and into the stiffener 52. The pair of extensions 60 of thestiffener clip 54 is received by the stiffener receiving portions 26 ofthe bottom member 20. The pair of extensions 60 of the stiffener clip 54and the stiffener receiving portions 26 of the bottom member 20 engageeach other through cooperating structure, such as through a friction fitarrangement, detent arrangement, or any other suitable arrangement. Thelower panel 14 may also include a stiffener 64 that is secured to therail 32 of the lower panel 14 via a fastener 66, such as a screw,extending through the lower leg portion 40 of the rail 32 and into thestiffener 64.

The return portion 46 of the upper end 34 of the lower panel 14 isgenerally L-shaped and defines a horizontal water shedding drain shelf.Further, the upper end 34 of the panel 14 and the rail 32 generallydefine a Z-shape at the horizontal joint 18. Water that may enter thehorizontal joint 18 will contact the horizontal drain shelf and will bedirected back out of the horizontal joint 18. As discussed above, thelower panel 14 is positively fastened to the support 16 and captures thelower panel 14 and the rail 32 such that wall panel system 10 does nothave to solely rely upon adhesives to hold the panel 14 onto the rail32. Further, as shown more clearly in FIG. 3, the upper extension 36 ofthe rail 32 and the bottom member 20 define a ventilation gap 68 withoutallowing a substantial amount of water penetration through the gap 68.In particular, the upper extension 36 of the rail 32 is configured todeflect fluid and keep wind blown water to the exterior and out of thepanel cavity, i.e., between the wall panel system and the air and waterbarrier behind the panels. As shown in FIG. 2, a screen 70 may bepositioned between the upper extension 36 of the rail 32 and the bottommember 20 to prevent bugs from passing through this area. Further, asshown in FIG. 3, the upper and lower panels 12, 14 define a space 69behind the rail 32 between attachments to the support 16 for backventilation.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, a wall panel system 110 according to afurther embodiment is disclosed. The wall panel system 110 shown inFIGS. 4 and 5 is similar to the wall panel system 10 described above.The wall panel system 110 includes upper and lower panels 112, 114secured to a support 116 and defining a horizontal joint 118. The panels112, 114 each have a generally rectangular (or square) panel body formedby laminating metal skins to a plastic core, although other panelconfigurations may be utilized. The upper panel 112 includes a bottommember 120 that extends along a bottom end 122 of the upper panel 112.The bottom member 120 is a continuous extrusion that includes anengagement portion 124 and a pair of stiffener receiving portions 126.The bottom member 120 is secured to the upper panel 112 via a fastener128, such as a screw, that extends through the bottom member 120 and areturn portion 130 of the upper panel 112. The lower panel 114 includesa rail 132 that extends along an upper end 134 of the lower panel 114.The rail 132 is a continuous extrusion generally having a Z-shape anddefining an upper extension 136, an engagement portion 138, and a lowerleg portion 140.

The lower panel 114 is secured to the support 116 via an attachment clip142. In particular, a fastener 144 extends through the attachment clip142, through a return portion 146 of the lower panel 114, through therail 132 and into the support 116. The attachment clip 142 is positionedbetween the bottom member 120 and the rail 132 at the support 116. Theattachment clip 142 includes an upper engagement portion 148 and anengagement receiving portion 150. The upper engagement portion 148 ofthe attachment clip 142 is received by the engagement portion 138 of therail 132 and the engagement portion 124 of the bottom member 120 isreceived by the engagement receiving portion 150. In particular, theengagement portion 124 of the bottom member 120 extends generallydownward to be received and engaged by the engagement receiving portion150 of the attachment clip 142. The engagement receiving portion 150 isa channel that opens upward and includes a ledge for engaging theengagement portion 124. The engagement portion 124 and the engagementreceiving portion 150 may be secured to each other through cooperatingstructure, such as through a friction fit arrangement, detentarrangement, or any other suitable arrangement. Accordingly, the upperpanel 112 may be dropped into place with the engagement portion 124 ofthe bottom member 120 being received and engaged by the engagementreceiving portion 150 of the attachment clip 142 thereby securing theupper panel 112 to the attachment clip 142.

Referring again to FIG. 4, the upper panel 112 may include a stiffener152 that is secured to upper panel 112 via stiffener clip 154 having anupper portion 156 and a lower portion 158 having a pair of extensions160. The stiffener clip 154 is secured to the stiffener 152 via fastener162, such as a screw, extending through the upper portion 156 of thestiffener clip 154 and into the stiffener 152. The pair of extensions160 of the stiffener clip 154 is received by the stiffener receivingportions 126 of the bottom member 120. The pair of extensions 160 of thestiffener clip 154 and the stiffener receiving portions 126 of thebottom member 120 engage each other through cooperating structure, suchas through a friction fit arrangement, detent arrangement, or any othersuitable arrangement. The lower panel 114 may also include a stiffener164 that is secured to the rail 132 of the lower panel 114 via afastener 166, such as a screw, extending through the lower leg portion140 of the rail 132 and into the stiffener 164. As shown in FIG. 4, ascreen 170 may be positioned between the upper extension 136 of the rail132 and the bottom member 120 to prevent bugs from passing through thisarea. Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the upper and lower panels 112, 114define a space 169 behind the rail 132 between attachments to thesupport 116 for back ventilation.

The primary difference between the wall panel system 10 shown in FIGS. 2and 3 and the wall panel system 110 shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 is theengagement arrangement between the bottom members 20, 120 and theattachment clips 32, 132. The hook and grab style arrangement shown inFIGS. 2 and 3 may allow for a more aggressive and high load capacityengagement. The remaining features and benefits, as discussed above, aresimilar for the wall panel systems 10, 110.

Referring to FIG. 6, a wall panel system 172 according to one embodimentincludes left and right panels 174, 176 secured to a support 178defining a vertical joint 180. The panels 174, 176 each have a generallyrectangular (or square) panel body formed by laminating metal skins to aplastic core, although other panel configurations may be utilized. Theleft and right panels 174, 176 each have a jamb clip 182 positioned atrespective ends of the panels 174, 176 adjacent the vertical joint 180.The jamb clips 182 of the left and right panels 174, 176 define areceptor 184 for receiving a vertical spline 186. In particular, each ofthe jamb clips 182 defines a channel extending the length of the jambclips 182 that receives a portion of the spline 186. Each of the jambclips 182 also includes an attachment leg 188 and a bracket receivingportion 190. The jamb clips 182 are secured to respective panels 174,176 via a fastener 192, such as a screw, extending through therespective panels 174, 176 and jamb clips 182 at the vertical joint 180.A vertical channel 194 is positioned between the support 178 and thejamb clips 182 and allow the panels 174, 176 to be attached to a singlestud via a fastener 196, such as a screw. The support 178 may be a barestud or a stud with sheathing. Insulation, an air, water, vapor barrier,or an insulated composite panel may be positioned between the support178 and the vertical channel 194. The vertical channel 194 is configuredto channel any water that may enter the vertical joint 180 to the basedetail (not shown) without contacting an air and water barrier (notshown) behind the panels 174, 176. As shown in FIG. 7, the jamb clips182 may be eliminated when gasketed vertical joints 198 are utilized.The bracket receiving portion 190 of the jamb clips 182 may receive afastener bracket 201 to allow attachment of panels 174, 176 along thevertical edge. The fastener bracket 201 may be a single bracket havingan extension 203 for engaging respective bracket receiving portions 190or may be provided as individual brackets on each panel 174, 176.

As shown in FIG. 8, a fastener bracket 201 may be provided as a singlemember with an extension 203 for engaging the bracket receiving portion190 of one jamb clip 182 and an engagement member 205 for engaging anengagement receiving portion 207 of the other jamb clip 182. A fastener209, such as a screw, extends through the fastener bracket 201 forpositive panel attachment directly to the channel 194. Furthermore, thesecuring of the panels 174, 176 to the support 178 through the fastenerbracket 201 and channel 194 provides a direct method to take out thedead load of the panel system 172. The attachment leg 188 of therespective jamb clips 182 allows attachment of horizontally orientedstiffeners 211 of the left and right panels 174, 176 via a fastener 213,such as a screw. A return portion 215 of the left and right panels 174,176 is also configured to act as a stiffener at the panel edge.

The wall panel systems 10, 110 show stiffeners 52, 64, 152, 164extending in a vertical direction or parallel to the vertical edge ofthe panels 12, 14, 112, 114. The wall panel system 172 shows stiffeners211 extending in a horizontal direction or parallel to a horizontal edgeof the panels 174, 176. A wall panel having the horizontal jointarrangements shown in FIGS. 2-5 and the vertical joint arrangement shownin FIG. 6 would typically only have stiffeners extending in either thevertical or horizontal direction.

Referring to FIG. 9, a wall panel system 217 may be provided thatincludes the drained horizontal joint arrangements shown in FIGS. 2-5along with the splined vertical joint arrangement shown in FIG. 6 toprovide the advantages of the spline design for the vertical joint whileusing a positive drained joint on the horizontal joint. In particular, afirst panel 12, 112, 174 is positioned above a second panel 14, 114, 174with the bottom end of the first panel 12, 112, 174 positioned adjacentto an upper end of the second panel 14, 114, 174 and defining thehorizontal joint 18, 118. A third panel 12, 112, 176 is positioned tothe right of the first panel 12, 112, 174 with the right side of thefirst panel 12, 112, 174 positioned adjacent to the left side of thethird panel 12, 112, 176 and defining the vertical joint 180. A fourthpanel 14, 114, 176 is also positioned below the third panel 12, 112, 176and to the right of the second panel 14, 114, 174. As discussed above inconnection with FIGS. 2-5, each of the panels 12, 14, 112, 114, 174, 176have bottom members 20, 120 positioned along the bottom edge of thepanels 12, 14, 112, 114, 174, 176. The bottom members 20, 120 are spacedfrom the vertical edges or sides of the panels 12, 14, 112, 114, 174,176 and are free from engagement with the jamb clips 182. Thus, thebottom members 20, 120 do not fully extend to the vertical joint 180 orjamb and does not require mitered or notched extrusions.

Referring again to FIG. 9, the panels 12, 14, 112, 114, 174, 176 alsoinclude jamb clips 182 that receive the spline 186 along the verticaledges of the panels 12, 14, 112, 114, 174, 176 as discussed above inconnection with FIGS. 6 and 8. The jamb clips 182 are spaced apart alongthe vertical edges of the panels 12, 14, 112, 114, 174, 176, but asingle jamb clip 182 that extends for most of the panel edge could alsobe utilized. The jamb clips 182 may be spaced from each otherapproximately 12-18″ on center. The panels 12, 14, 112, 114, 174, 176,however, may include a gasketed vertical joint as shown in FIG. 7 ratherthan providing the jamb clips 182. Although not shown, the panels 12,14, 112, 114, 174, 176 would also include one or more spaced apartattachment clips 42, 142 as discussed above in connection with FIGS.2-5. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, for example, the wall panel system ofthe present invention provides air/ventilation behind the system topromote drying should the cavity become wetted while minimizing theamount of water getting behind the panel. Further, as shown in FIGS. 10and 11, an outer face 15 of the panels 12, 14, 112, 114, 174, 176 and anend 33 of the rail 32, 132 define a notch 65 for receiving the verticalspline 186. In particular, the panels 12, 14, 112, 114, 174, 176 arenotched back leaving the outer face 15.

Referring to FIGS. 12 and 13, a plurality of wall panels 220 arepositioned adjacent to each other thereby forming a wall panel system222. The wall panels 220 may have the horizontal joint arrangements andthe vertical joint arrangements as described above in connection withFIGS. 2-6. The wall panels 220 each have a stiffener 224 extending alongitudinal direction of the panels 220. The stiffeners 224 aregenerally I-shaped in cross section, although other suitably shapedstiffeners may be utilized. The stiffeners 224 are positioned at about amidpoint of the panels 220 relative to a short dimension of the panels220. The panels 220 are secured to a support 226 in any suitable mannersuch as that described above in connection with wall panel systems 10,110, 172 shown in FIGS. 2-6. As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, a stiffenerclip 228 is secured to one or more of the supports 226. The stiffenerclip 228 has a stiffener receiving portion 230 for engaging andreceiving the stiffeners 224. The top of FIG. 12 schematically shows thepositioning of the stiffener clips 228 relative to the panels 220 andthe supports 226. The stiffener receiving portion 230 has a pair ofextensions 232 defining a channel 234 therebetween. The longitudinalstiffener 224 is received by the stiffener receiving portion 230, whichis configured to take positive and negative loads exerted on the panels220. In particular, the stiffener 224 engages the stiffener clip 228such that positive loads exerted on the panel 220 are almost immediatelysupported by the stiffener clip 228. Further, the stiffener 224 isspaced from one of the extensions 232 of the stiffener clip 228 suchthat negative loads exerted on the panel 220 will cause the panel 220 todefect outward before the load is transferred to the stiffener clip 228.The longitudinal stiffeners 224 and the stiffener clips 228substantially eliminate surface deformation of the panels (also known asoil canning) while substantially minimizing stiffener read through.

While several embodiments were described in the foregoing detaileddescription, those skilled in the art may make modifications andalterations to these embodiments without departing from the scope andspirit of the invention. Accordingly, the foregoing description isintended to be illustrative rather than restrictive.

1. A wall panel comprising: a panel body; a first jamb clip positionedadjacent to a right side of the panel body; a second jamb clippositioned adjacent to a left side of the panel body, the first andsecond jamb clips each configured to receive a portion of a spline; abottom member positioned adjacent to a bottom end of the panel body, thebottom member having an engagement portion; and an attachment clippositioned adjacent to an upper end of the panel body, the attachmentclip having an engagement receiving portion configured to engage anengagement portion of an adjacent panel, the bottom end of the panelbody configured to define a ventilation gap when joined to an adjacentpanel.
 2. The wall panel of claim 1, wherein the engagement portion ofthe bottom member extends upward, and wherein the engagement receivingportion of the attachment clip comprises a downwardly opening channel.3. The wall panel of claim 1, wherein the engagement portion of thebottom member extends downward, and wherein the engagement receivingportion of the attachment clip comprises an upwardly opening channel. 4.The wall panel of claim 1, further comprising a rail member positionedadjacent to an upper end of the panel body, the panel body positionedbetween the attachment clip and the rail member.
 5. The wall panel ofclaim 4, wherein the rail member has an extension that extends outward.6. The wall panel of claim 4, wherein the rail member and the attachmentclip have cooperating engagement members.
 7. The wall panel of claim 1,further comprising a stiffener secured to the panel body, the stiffenersecured to the bottom member via a stiffener clip.
 8. The wall panel ofclaim 7, wherein the stiffener clip has an extension extending downward,the extension engaging a stiffener receiving portion of the bottommember.
 9. The wall panel of claim 7, wherein an upper portion of thestiffener clip is secured to the stiffener via a fastener.
 10. The wallpanel of claim 1, wherein the upper end of the panel includes a returnportion configured to define a horizontal drain shelf.
 11. The wallpanel of claim 10, wherein the return portion of the upper end of thepanel is L-shaped in cross-section.
 12. A wall panel system comprising:a first panel having a bottom member positioned adjacent to a bottom endof the first panel; a second panel positioned adjacent to the firstpanel and defining a horizontal joint, the second panel having anattachment clip positioned adjacent to an upper end of the second panel,wherein the attachment clip engages the bottom member, and wherein thebottom end of the first panel and the upper end of the second paneldefine a ventilation gap.
 13. The wall panel system of claim 12, whereinthe second panel has a rail member positioned adjacent to the upper endof the second panel, the rail member having an extension that extendsoutward, the extension defining an upper end of the ventilation gap andbeing configured to deflect fluid entering the horizontal joint.
 14. Thewall panel system of claim 13, wherein the rail member and theattachment clip each have an engagement member, the engagement membersof the rail member and the attachment clip being engaged with eachother.
 15. The wall panel system of claim 12, wherein the bottom memberhas an engagement portion and the attachment clip has an engagementreceiving portion, the engagement portion of the bottom member engagingthe engagement receiving member of the attachment clip.
 16. The wallpanel system of claim 12, wherein the first panel has a jamb clippositioned adjacent to a right side of the first panel, the jamb clipconfigured to receive a portion of a spline.
 17. The wall panel systemof claim 12, further comprising a third panel positioned adjacent to thefirst panel and defining a vertical joint, the first panel and the thirdpanel each having a jamb clip positioned adjacent to the vertical joint,the respective jamb clips of the first and third panels defining areceptor that receives a spline.
 18. The wall panel system of claim 12,wherein the upper end of the second panel includes a return portionconfigured to define a horizontal drain shelf.
 19. A wall panel systemcomprising: a panel having a first jamb clip positioned adjacent to aright side of the panel, a second jamb clip positioned adjacent to aleft side of the panel, a bottom member positioned adjacent to a bottomend of the panel and between the first and second jamb clips, anattachment clip positioned adjacent to an upper end of the panel, and astiffener extending along a longitudinal direction of the panel body; asupport; and a stiffener clip having a stiffener receiving portion,wherein the stiffener clip is secured to the support and the stiffenerreceiving portion engages the stiffener.
 20. The wall panel system ofclaim 19, wherein the stiffener is positioned at about a midpoint of ashort dimension of the panel.